Irreplaceable science research may be lost when Department of Fisheries and Oceans libraries across the country are closed down, researchers fear. (Experimental Lakes Area/Canadian Press)

In today's opening essay, Jian decries the forthcoming closure of several Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) libraries. The DFO plans to shut down seven of its 11 libraries by 2015 -- a cost-cutting measure that Jian calls not only a mistake but also a tragedy.

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"The government, for its part, says the closure of the scientific libraries are part of an ongoing digitization program, that no relevant data will be lost, and ultimately -- and most importantly-- the consolidation and digitization will save the taxpayer money," he said.

"And yet the scientists who have spoken out in the last few weeks -- some anonymously, for fear of reprisals from the government -- have said that is patently untrue. Valuable data is being lost, forever, specifically due to the speed with which these libraries are being closed."

Source:    http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2014/01/13/q-essay-closing-science-libraries/